Systems, methods, and apparatuses for imaging using a dual-purpose illuminator

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to imaging devices and indicia reading devices. An imaging apparatus comprises an image sensor, an optical window positioned in front of the image sensor and a light source enclosing a perimeter of the optical window such that an illumination cone of the light source overlaps a portion of a near field of view cone of the imaging apparatus. The portion of the near field of view cone extends from a surface of the optical window to a threshold distance from the optical window. The light source is configured to produce a first illumination along a first direction extending towards a scene to be imaged.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to illuminatorsand imaging devices, and more particularly to dual purpose illuminatorsproviding near field illumination as well as an indication of one ormore successful events related to image capture.

BACKGROUND

Imaging devices and systems have found application in areas that aremore sophisticated and advanced than mere photography. There has been aconstant demand for improvement in the imaging capabilities of thesedevices and systems to fit support the new capabilities. Due to additionof more and more components supporting new capabilities, theinterference between components increases. However, most of thesolutions aimed at reducing the inter-component interference result injeopardizing performance and/or other capability of the imaging devices.In some application areas, the imaging device may be renderedineffective with such compromised capabilities thereby reducing theversatility of applications where the imaging device may be usable.

SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure provided herein areconfigured for avoiding interference between illumination and field ofview inside an imaging apparatus and enhancing imaging capabilities ofthe imaging apparatus. Example embodiments described and illustratedherein provide imaging devices providing improved imaging capabilitiesin near field of view without incurring illumination spill into theimaging sensor. Example embodiments described herein also provide animaging apparatus having a ringed or piped illumination source thatserves the dual purpose of providing illumination for imaging in thenear field and providing indication of one or more successful eventsrelated to image capture and/or indicia reading. Some exampleembodiments are directed towards a simplified hand-held device providingan illuminator that does not lead to interference with the field ofview, thereby providing sufficient illumination to subjects very closeto the handheld device. Other implementations for one or more ofalternative illuminators and/or alternative indicators will be, or willbecome, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of thefollowing figures and detailed description. It is intended that all suchadditional implementations be included within this description, bewithin the scope of the disclosure, and be protected by the followingclaims.

In accordance with some example embodiments, provided herein is animaging apparatus. In an example embodiment, the imaging apparatuscomprises an image sensor configured to capture a first image of a sceneand an optical window positioned in front of the image sensor. In someexample embodiments, the optical window is configured to transmitincident light to the image sensor. The imaging apparatus also comprisesa light source enclosing a perimeter of the optical window such that anillumination cone of the light source overlaps a portion of a near fieldof view cone of the imaging apparatus. In an example embodiment, theportion of the near field of view cone extends from a surface of theoptical window to a threshold distance from the optical window. In someexample embodiments, the light source is configured to produce a firstillumination along a first direction extending towards the scene.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus, the imaging apparatus further comprises one or moreprocessors configured to process the first image of the scene to detecta subject in the first image. The one or more processors furtherdetermine that the subject in the first image is aligned with a patternand control the light source to produce a second illumination along asecond direction in response to determining that the subject is alignedwith the pattern.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus the light source encloses the perimeter of the optical windowin a plane inclined at an angle with an optical axis of the imagingapparatus.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus, the first illumination illuminates the entirety of theportion of the near field of view cone of the imaging apparatus.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus, the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus, the second illumination is of a different wavelength than thefirst illumination.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus, a brightness of the second illumination is lower than abrightness of the first illumination.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus, the subject comprises a decodable indicia and the patterncomprises an aimer projection.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus, the light source and the optical window are on a front faceof the imaging apparatus. In some example embodiments, light incidentfrom a scene to be imaged enters the imaging apparatus through the frontface.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus, the imaging apparatus further comprises one or moreprocessors configured to control the light source to produce the firstillumination at a first brightness level. The one or more processors arefurther configured to obtain a second image of the scene from the imagesensor, process the second image to determine if the second imagesatisfies one or more imaging conditions, and control the light sourceto produce the first illumination at a second brightness level, based onthe second image failing to satisfy the one or more imaging conditions.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus, the one or more processors are further configured to obtainfrom the image sensor, a third image of the scene illuminated with thefirst illumination at the second brightness level and process the thirdimage to decode a decodable indicia in the third image. In an exampleembodiment, the one or more processors are further configured to controlthe light source to produce the second illumination, based on thedecoded decodable indicia.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the imagingapparatus, the light source has a piped structure and comprises one ormore first light elements configured to produce the first illuminationand one or more second light elements configured to produce the secondillumination.

In accordance with some example embodiments, provided herein is animaging method for an imaging apparatus. In some example implementationsof the method, the example method includes controlling a light source ofthe imaging apparatus to produce a first illumination along a firstdirection extending towards a scene. The first illumination illuminatesthe scene such that an illumination cone of the piped light sourceoverlaps a portion of a near field of view cone of the imagingapparatus. In an example embodiment, the portion of the near field ofview cone extends from a surface of an optical window of the imagingapparatus to a threshold distance from the optical window. The examplemethod further includes obtaining from an image sensor of the imagingapparatus, a first image of the scene, detecting a subject in the firstimage, and determining that the subject in the first image is alignedwith a pattern. The example method further includes in response todetermining that the subject is aligned with the pattern, controllingthe light source to produce a second illumination along a seconddirection different from the first direction.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the method, themethod further comprises controlling the light source to produce thefirst illumination at a first brightness level and obtaining from theimage sensor, a second image of the scene. The method further comprisesprocessing the second image to determine if the second image satisfiesone or more imaging conditions and controlling the light source toproduce the first illumination at a second brightness level, based onthe second image failing to satisfy the one or more imaging conditions.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the method, themethod further comprises obtaining from the image sensor, a third imageof the scene illuminated with the first illumination at the secondbrightness level. In an example embodiment, the method further comprisesprocessing the third image to decode a decodable indicia in the thirdimage and controlling the light source to produce the secondillumination, based on the decoded decodable indicia.

In accordance with some example embodiments, provided herein is anindicia reading device. In an example embodiment, the indicia readingdevice comprises an imager configured to capture an image of a scanlabel. In some example embodiments, the indicia reading device alsocomprises a scanning window positioned in front of the imager, whereinthe scanning window is configured to transmit incident light to theimager and an illuminator. The illuminator encloses a perimeter of thescanning window such that an illumination cone of the illuminatoroverlaps a portion of a near field of view cone of the indicia readingdevice. The portion of the near field of view cone extends from asurface of the scanning window to a threshold distance from the scanningwindow. In some example embodiments, the indicia reading device alsocomprises a controller configured to control the illuminator to producea first illumination to illuminate the scan label and obtain the imageof the scan label from the imager. In an example embodiment, thecontroller is further configured to process the image to decode adecodable indicia in the image and control the illuminator to produce asecond illumination, based on the decoded decodable indicia.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the indiciareading device, the ring illuminator has a ringed structure thatencloses the perimeter of the scanning window in a plane inclined at anangle with an optical axis of the indicia reading device.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the indiciareading device, the first illumination illuminates the entirety of theportion of the near field of view cone of the indicia reading device.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the indiciareading device, the illuminator is configured to produce the firstillumination along a first direction extending towards the scan labeland produce the second illumination along a second direction orthogonalto the first direction.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the indiciareading device, the second illumination is of a different wavelengththan the first illumination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the embodiments of the disclosure in generalterms, reference now will be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an example imaging system, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of an example imaging engine, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example imaging apparatus, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example dual purpose illuminator, in accordancewith at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A illustrates an example indicia reading device, in accordancewith at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B illustrates an example indicia reading device with a repurposedilluminator, in accordance with at least one example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5A illustrates a visualization of field of view and illumination innear field of an example imaging apparatus, in accordance with at leastone example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B illustrates illumination of a conventional illuminator andillumination of a piped illuminator of an indicia reading device; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart depicting example operations of animaging method, in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all, embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed,embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different formsand should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forthherein, rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout.

Imaging apparatuses, such as indicia readers, are used in a variety ofscenarios, each requiring a specific set of imaging requirements to bemet so that an operation associated with the indicia reader such assymbol decoding may be successively carried out. Owing to a largevariety of application areas for the imaging readers, there are aplethora of imaging conditions in which such apparatuses are used. Theoperability of these apparatuses is limited by the type of imagingconditions in which they are successfully capable of processing thecaptured image(s). Effective image processing requires efficient imagecapture which in turn is governed by several imaging factors such asfocus, exposure, illumination and the like. Also, it is preferred forsuch apparatuses to perform the image capture and image processingwithin a time duration that is as short as possible. One way ofshortening this time duration is to fasten up the image processing taskby use of efficient algorithms and hardware. However, there is a limitto such upgradations considering the limited form factor, weight, andpower supply available for such apparatuses. Thus for devices limited byform factor and/or size and available power supply, it is desired thatthe time taken to capture an image suitable for image processing, is asshort as possible. Also the capability to capture images only whensubjects are placed beyond a certain distance limits the usability ofsuch devices. Furthermore, owing to miniaturized sizes of the imagingdevices, different components are housed in a very compact space. Assuch, oftentimes there is an interaction between the illumination andfield of view of an image sensor in a region behind an optical window ofthe imaging device. Such interaction may produce noise in the resultantimage which is undesired. Further, such compact placement ofilluminators alongside image sensors creates a shadow region in front ofthe imaging device that remains partially or fully unilluminated. Suchimaging devices and systems thus have limited operability for imagecapture.

Imaging apparatuses and systems utilize a near field illumination sourcethat illuminates a near field of view of the apparatus/system.Oftentimes the illumination provided by such illuminators does not reacha region that lies close to the front face of the imaging apparatusbecause the illuminator is positioned in a recess or depression having alimited illumination expanse. Owing to a wide variety of applications ofsuch imaging apparatuses, it is desired at times that the subject islocated in such a region that remains partially illuminated or evenwithout illumination. In such scenarios, the subject is not properlyilluminated which results in poor image capture and subsequently poordecoding. In some scenarios, the imaging apparatus may perform multipleretakes in an attempt to capture a decodable image of the subject.Because the illumination is unable to reach the subject despite themultiple attempts to capture the image, the imaging apparatus incursdelay in the underlying image processing task thus hampering otheroperations as well.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a dual-purpose illuminatorfor an imaging device. Some embodiments described herein relate tomethods of imaging using the imaging device with the dual-purposeilluminator. Some embodiments utilize positional relationship betweenthe illuminator and the image sensor to capture images of subjectsplaced very close to the imaging device. Some embodiments utilize theilluminator to convey feedback relating to image capture events. Theilluminator may have one or more light elements to accomplish the dualpurpose described above. In some embodiments, one or more events may betriggered indicating circumstances where a key step associated withimage capture is executed. Based on the result of such events, theilluminator is controlled to produce illumination.

Such embodiments provide effective illumination in regions thatotherwise remain under illuminated using minimal additional components.The operation of such embodiments captures images in a manner likely toresult in successfully completing an image processing task, such asindicia or symbol scanning, while increasing the likelihood an image iscaptured within a desired operational time frame that includes datasufficient for successful processing. By way of implementation ofvarious example embodiments described herein, an operational efficiencyof the imaging apparatus is maintained or improved while addressing thechallenges arising out of varying imaging conditions.

In some embodiments, some of the operations above may be modified orfurther amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optionaloperations may be included. Modifications, amplifications, or additionsto the operations above may be performed in any order and in anycombination.

Definitions

The term “illumination” refers to one or more light rays produced by anillumination source within a defined field of view. In at least oneexample context, the illumination includes one or more illuminationpulses produced by a corresponding illumination source. In someembodiments, an illumination is produced based on a “defined pulsefrequency,” which refers to a rate at which illumination pulses areproduced by an illumination source. Additionally or alternatively, insome embodiments, an illumination is produced based on a “defined pulsephase,” which refers to a period of activation for which an illuminationsource is producing a corresponding illumination. Thus, illuminationperiod may refer to the time duration for which the illumination sourceremains activated corresponding to the illumination pulse.

The term “illumination source” (also referred to as “illuminator source”or “illuminator”) refers to one or more light generating hardware,devices, and/or components configured to produce an illumination withina desired field of view. Non-limiting examples of an illumination sourceincludes one or more light emitting diode(s) (LEDs), laser(s), and/orthe like. One or more illumination sources may be dedicatedly orcommonly available for each image sensor and/or projection optics of themulti-image sensor system.

The term “near-field illumination source” refers to an illuminationsource configured to produce an illumination for illuminating anear-field of view associated with a near-field image sensor. In atleast one example context, the near-field illumination source isconfigured to produce an illumination in a wider field of view ascompared to that of a far-field illumination source.

The term “far-field illumination source” refers to an illuminationsource configured to produce an illumination for illuminating afar-field of view associated with a far-field imager. In at least oneexample context, the far-field illumination source is configured toproduce an illumination in a narrower field of view as compared to thatof a near-field illumination source.

The term “near-field illumination” refers to a particular illuminationproduced by a near-field illumination source. In some embodiments, thenear-field illumination is associated with illumination of a near fieldof view captured by a near-field image sensor.

The term “far-field illumination” refers to a particular illuminationproduced by a far-field illumination source. In some embodiments, thefar-field illumination is associated with illumination of a far field ofview captured by a far-field image sensor.

The term “imager” or “imaging module” refers to one or more componentsconfigured for capturing an image representing a particular field ofview. In at least one example context, an imager includes at least oneoptical component (e.g., lens(es) and/or associated housing(s)) defininga particular field of view. Additionally or alternatively, in at leastone example context, an imager includes an image sensor configured tooutput an image based on light that engages with the image sensor, suchas via the optical components.

The term “image sensor” refers to one or more components configured togenerate an image represented by a data object based on light incidenton the image sensor. In some such example contexts, an image sensorconverts light waves that interact with the image sensor into signalsrepresenting an image output by the sensor.

The term “subject” or “target” refers to one or more regions of interestin the scene being imaged. In some example embodiments, the subject maybe optically distinguishable from the background of the scene beingimaged.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thisdisclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the embodiments are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain examplecombinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated thatdifferent combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided byalternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appendedclaims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elementsand/or functions than those explicitly described above are alsocontemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an example imaging system 10, inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Theimaging system 10 includes an imaging engine 100 communicatively coupledwith a controller 20, a communication interface 40, an activationcomponent 60, and one or more peripheral components 80. In some exampleembodiments, the imaging system 10 may include fewer or more componentsthan shown in FIG. 1A. The imaging system 10 is configured for capturingone or more images of a target in one or more fields of views using oneor more illumination sources. The imaging system 10 processes the one ormore images to execute one or more image processing tasks such asindicia reading. Accordingly, in some example embodiments of thedisclosure, the imaging system 10 may be embodied in part or full as anindicia or symbol reader or a handheld device capable of reading indiciaand similar symbols. One example embodiment of the imaging system 10 isillustrated in FIG. 2, details of which will be described in thesubsequent portions of the disclosure.

Controller 20 may be configured to carry out one or more controloperations associated with the imaging system 10. For example,controller 20 may control the imaging engine 100 to cause image captureof a target in a field of view of the imaging engine 100. Additionally,the controller 20 may process the captured images to carry out one ormore image processing tasks. The controller 20 may be embodied as acentral processing unit (CPU) comprising one or more processors and amemory. In some example embodiments, the controller 20 may be realizedusing one or more microcontroller units (MCU), as one or more of varioushardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, adigital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without anaccompanying DSP, or various other processing circuitry includingintegrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specificintegrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a hardwareaccelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. In someembodiments, the processor of the controller 20 may include one or moreprocessing cores configured to operate independently. A multi-coreprocessor may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package.Additionally, or alternatively, the processor may include one or moreprocessors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independentexecution of instructions, pipelining and/or multithreading.

The memory may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one ormore volatile and/or non-volatile memories. For example, the memory maybe an electronic storage device (for example, a computer readablestorage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (for example,bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (for example, a computingdevice like the processor). The memory may be configured to storeinformation, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like, forenabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance withan example embodiment of the present invention. For example, the memorycould be configured to buffer data for processing by the processor.Additionally, or alternatively, the memory could be configured to storeinstructions for execution by the processor.

The processor (and/or co-processors or any other processing circuitryassisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be incommunication with the memory via a bus for passing information amongcomponents of the imaging system 10. The processor may be configured toexecute instructions stored in the memory or otherwise accessible to theprocessor. Additionally, or alternatively, the processor may beconfigured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whetherconfigured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof,the processor may represent an entity (for example, physically embodiedin circuitry) capable of performing operations according to anembodiment of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus,for example, when the processor is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or thelike, the processor may be specifically configured hardware forconducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as anotherexample, when the processor is embodied as an executor of softwareinstructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processorto perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when theinstructions are executed. The processor may include, among otherthings, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gatesconfigured to support operation of the controller 20.

The communication interface 40 may comprise input interface and outputinterface for supporting communications to and from the imaging system10. The communication interface 40 may be any means such as a device orcircuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware andsoftware that is configured to receive and/or transmit data to/from acommunications device in communication with the imaging system 10. Inthis regard, the communication interface 40 may include, for example, anantenna (or multiple antennae) and supporting hardware and/or softwarefor enabling communications with a wireless communication network.Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface 40 mayinclude the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to causetransmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt ofsignals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, thecommunication interface 40 may alternatively or additionally supportwired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface40 may include a communication modem and/or other hardware and/orsoftware for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line(DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms.

The activation component 60 may include hardware, software, firmware,and/or a combination thereof, configured to indicate initiation (and/ortermination) of desired functionality by the user. For example, theactivation component 60 may transmit an activation signal to cause thecontroller 20 to begin operation of the imaging engine 100, for exampleto begin illumination by one or more illumination sources, and/orcapture by image sensors, one or more images. Additionally oralternatively, the activation component 60 may transmit a deactivationsignal to the controller 20 to terminate the correspondingfunctionality, for example to cease scanning via an image sensor. Insome embodiments, the activation component 60 is embodied by one or morebuttons, triggers, and/or other physical components provided in or onthe body of a chassis. For example, in at least one example context, theactivation component 60 is embodied by one or more “trigger” componentsthat, when engaged by an operator (e.g., when an operator squeezes thetrigger), transmits a signal to the controller 20 to initiatecorresponding functionality. In some such embodiments, the activationcomponent may transmit a deactivation signal to the controller 20 tocease such functionality when the component is disengaged by theoperator (e.g., when the operator releases the trigger). Alternativelyor additionally, in at least some embodiments, the activation component60 is embodied without any components for direct engagement by anoperator. For example, when the imaging system 10 is embodied as animaging apparatus, the activation component 60 may be embodied byhardware and/or software, or a combination thereof, for detecting theimaging apparatus has been raised and/or positioned to a predefined“scanning” position, and/or lowered from that position to triggerdeactivation. Alternatively or additionally, the activation component 60may be embodied as a user interface element of the imaging system 10. Insuch embodiments, the activation component 60 embodied as a userinterface element may be configured to receive an input from the user ona user interface and in turn transmit a corresponding command to thecontroller 20.

The one or more peripheral components 80 include other structural andfunctional elements of the imaging system 10 such as for example adisplay device, a user interface, a housing, a chassis, power source andthe like. One or more of the peripheral components 80 may be controlledby the controller and may operate as per instructions or controlprovided by the controller 20.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example imaging engine in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, asillustrated, the example imaging engine is embodied by an imaging engine100. The imaging engine 100 includes one or more image sensors, forexample, a near-field image sensor and/or a far-field image sensor,configured for capturing image data objects in a near field of viewassociated with the near-field image sensor and/or a far field of viewassociated with the far-field image sensor, respectively. In at leastone example context, the imaging engine 100 is configured for capturingimages for purposes of indicia reading at different ranges, such as aclose-range using a near-field image sensor and a far-range using afar-field image sensor.

As illustrated, the imaging engine 100 includes image capture optics104. The image capture optics 104 may be embodied by one or morelens(es) and/or other optical components configured to enable light totransverse through and interact with a corresponding image sensor, forexample the image sensor 102. The image sensor may include an array ofpixels adapted to operate in a global shutter or full frame shutter,mode or alternately operate in a rolling shutter mode. It may be a coloror monochrome 2D solid state image sensor implemented in any of CCD,CMOS, NMOS, PMOS, CID, CMD, back-illuminated technologies. The imagesensor may be either a progressive or interleaved imager. The imagesensor may contain an array of light sensitive photodiodes (or pixels)that convert incident light energy into electric charge. An exemplaryimage sensor may use a mono color image sensor that may include a filterelement defining color sensitive pixel elements dispersed throughout anarray of monochrome pixels. An exemplary image sensor may include animage sensor processor, an analog to digital converter (ADC) and othercircuitry.

The image capture optics 104 may define a particular field of view thatmay be captured by an image sensor 102. In some embodiments, the imagecapture optics 104 defines a field of view associated with a focalrange, such that objects located at and/or within a determinable offsetfrom the focal range may be clear in images captured by the image sensor102.

In some example embodiments, the image sensor 102 may include a globalshutter to provide enhanced motion tolerance. The image sensor 102 mayuse a large Field of View (FOV), the large FOV enabling applicationssuch as but not limited to optical character recognition (OCR), imagereconstruction, machine learning etc. Additionally or optionally. insome embodiments, the image sensor 102 may include a rolling shutter.The image sensor 102 uses a small FOV to improve the sampling of farfield. Additionally, the image sensor 102 may have an associated focusmechanism. The focus mechanism may include a focus scheme that controlsmovement of one or more focus lenses along an optical axis direction ofthe image sensor 102. Towards this end, in some embodiments, the focusscheme may include one or more motion actuators, for example, steppermotors or piezoelectric actuators. In some example embodiments, thefocus scheme may be inbuilt in the lenses for example in variable (e.g.liquid) lenses.

The focus scheme may provide a plurality of discrete focus positions ina field of view and the motor may move the focus optics of a particularimage sensor to each of the discrete focus positions to exhibit thefocus mechanism. For example, in some example embodiments, to change thefocusing of the image sensor 102, the corresponding motor may move theassociated focus optics of the image sensor 102 to three discrete focuspositions in the far field. The operation of the focus mechanism may becontrolled by a processing component such as the controller 20 of FIG.1A or the processor 202. In some example embodiments, where the lenseshave inbuilt focus scheme, the processing component may control thefocusing of the lenses using estimated distance data.

In some embodiments, for example as illustrated, the image sensor 102 isassociated with one or more components for producing an illuminationconfigured for illuminating the field of view defined by the imagesensor 102. For example, as illustrated, the imaging engine 100additionally comprises the field of view illumination source 106 andcorresponding projection optics 108. In some example embodiments, theillumination source 106 may be a near-field illumination source that isconfigured to produce light in the optical axis direction of anear-field projection optics. This light may refract through theprojection optics 108 to produce a near-field illumination, which may beproduced in a desired pattern based on the configuration and design ofthe projection optics 108. In this regard, the illumination produced bylight exiting the projection optics 108 may illuminate a particularfield of view, such as the near field of view capturable by the imagesensor 102.

Additionally in some embodiments, the imaging engine 100 furthercomprises an aimer illumination source 110. The aimer illuminationsource 110 is configured to produce light in the direction of the aimerprojection optics 112. For example, the aimer illumination sourcecomprises one or more laser diodes and/or high intensity LED(s)configured to produce sufficiently powerful and/or concentrated light.The light is refracted through the aimer projection optics 112 toproduce an aimer illumination, which may be produced in a desiredpattern based on the configuration and design of the aimer projectionoptics 112. In one example context, for purposes of barcode scanning forexample, the aimer pattern may be produced as a laser line pattern, alaser dot pattern, as two parallel lines enclosing a finite region inbetween and the like.

The imaging engine 100 further comprises an optical scanning window 114.The optical scanning window 114 may serve as a protective covering forthe elements of the imaging engine 100 that require exposure to externalillumination. The protective window 114 comprises one or more opticalcomponents configured to enable produced light to exit the engine 100,and incoming light to be received for example, through the image captureoptics 104 to interact with the image sensor 102. In some exampleembodiments, the optical scanning window 114 (hereinafter also referredto as optical window 114 or scanning window 114) may be made of atransparent or translucent material that allows radiation of at leastsome predefined wavelengths to pass through it. For example, thescanning window 114 may be made of suitable materials such as fiber,glass, or plastic that allow illumination to pass through. In someexample embodiments, the scanning window 114 may have a flat face toprevent optical aberration. In some example embodiments, the scanningwindow 114 may have a non-linear surface with at least some portions ofthe scanning window 114 exhibiting optical properties such asmagnification or demagnification.

It should be appreciated that, in other embodiments, an imaging engine100 may include any number of image capture optics, image sensors,illumination sources, and/or any combination thereof. In this regard,the imaging engine 100 may be extended to capture any number of field ofviews, which may each be associated with a corresponding illuminatordesigned for specifically illuminating a corresponding field of view.One or more of the illumination source(s) may negatively affectoperation of another illuminator. In such circumstances, when one suchillumination source is active, the negatively affected image sensor maybe activated between illumination pulses of the illumination source asdescribed herein. Such operation may be implemented for anycombination(s) of illumination source and image sensor.

In some embodiments, the imaging engine 100 includes one or moreprocessing components (e.g., a processor and/or other processingcircuitry) for controlling activation of one or more components of theimaging engine 100. For example, in at least one example embodiment, theimaging engine 100 includes a processor configured for timing theillumination pulses of the illumination source 106, and/or controllingthe exposing of the image sensor 102. In some such contexts, theprocessor is embodied by any one of a myriad of processing circuitryimplementations, for example as a FPGA, ASIC, microprocessor, CPU,and/or the like. In at least some embodiments, the processor may be incommunication with one or more memory device(s) having computer-codedinstructions enabling such functionality when executed by theprocessor(s). In some embodiments, it should be appreciated that theprocessor may include one or more sub-processors, remote processors(e.g., “cloud” processors) and/or the like, and/or may be incommunication with one or more additional processors for performing suchfunctionality. For example, in at least one embodiment, the processormay be in communication, and/or operate in conjunction with, anotherprocessor within an imaging apparatus, for example the processor 202 asdepicted and described with respect to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example an imaging apparatus200, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.As illustrated, the imaging apparatus 200 comprises an apparatus chassis210 for housing the various components of the apparatus. In this regard,it should be appreciated that the apparatus chassis may be embodied inany of a myriad of chassis designs, using any of a myriad of materials,and/or the like, suitable to position the various components of themulti-sensor imaging apparatus 200 for operation. In at least oneexample context, the apparatus chassis 210 may be embodied as a handheldapparatus chassis, wearable chassis, and/or the like.

The imaging apparatus 200 comprises the imaging engine 100 as describedabove with respect to FIG. 1B. The imaging apparatus 200 furthercomprises a processor 202. The processor 202 (and/or any otherco-processor(s) and/or processing circuitry assisting and/or otherwiseassociated with the processor 202) may provide processing functionalityto the imaging apparatus 200. In this regard, the processor 202 may beembodied in any one of a myriad of ways as discussed with respect to thecontroller 20 of FIG. 1A.

In some example embodiments, the processor 202 is configured to providefunctionality for operating one or more components of the imagingapparatus 200. For example, the processor 202 may be configured foractivating the illumination source 106, and/or the aimer illuminationsource 110. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, theprocessor 202 is configured for activating the image sensor 102 toexpose the image sensor, and/or for reading out the captured data togenerate an image based on the data captured during exposure.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor 202 isconfigured to process the captured image(s), for example based on one ormore image processing task(s). In one such example context, theprocessor 202 is configured to perform an attempt to detect and decodevisual indicia(s), such as 1D and/or 2D barcodes, from a captured image.In this regard, the processor 202 may be configured to utilize a visualindicia parsing algorithm and/or a visual indicia decoding algorithm toprovide such functionality.

Additionally or alternatively, optionally in some embodiments, theimaging apparatus 200 further include activation component 206. Theactivation component 206 may be embodied in a myriad of ways asdiscussed with respect to the activation component 60 of FIG. 1A.

Additionally or alternatively, optionally in some embodiments, theimaging apparatus 200 further includes a display 208. The display 208may be embodied by a LCD, LED, and/or other screen device configured fordata provided by one or more components of the apparatus 200. Forexample, in some embodiments, the display 208 is configured forrendering a user interface comprising text, images, control elements,and/or other data provided by the processor 202 for rendering. In someembodiments, for example, the display 208 is embodied by an LCD and/orLED monitor integrated with the surface of the apparatus chassis 210 andvisible to an operator, for example to provide information decoded froma barcode and/or associated with such information decoded from abarcode. In one or more embodiments, the display 208 may be configuredto receive user interaction, and/or may transmit one or morecorresponding signals to the processor 202 to trigger functionalitybased on the user interaction. In some such embodiments, the display 208may be configured to provide user interface functionality embodyingactivation component 206, for example to enable an operator to initiateand/or terminate scanning functionality via interaction with the userinterface.

Additionally or alternatively, optionally in some embodiments, theimaging apparatus 200 further includes a memory 204. The memory 204 mayprovide storage functionality, for example to store data processed bythe imaging apparatus 200 and/or instructions for providing thefunctionality described herein. In some embodiments, the processor 202may be in communication with the memory 204 via a bus for passinginformation among components of the apparatus, and/or for retrievinginstructions for execution. The memory 204 may be embodied in a myriadof ways discussed with reference to the controller 20 of FIG. 1A. Thememory 204 may be configured to store information, data, content,applications, instructions, or the like, for enabling the imagingapparatus 200 to carry out various functions in accordance with someexample embodiments. In some embodiments, the memory 204 includescomputer-coded instructions for execution by the processor 202, forexample to execute the functionality described herein and/or inconjunction with hard-coded functionality executed via the processor202. For example, when the processor 202 is embodied as an executor ofsoftware instructions, the instructions may specially configure theprocessor 202 to perform the algorithms and/or operations describedherein when the instructions are executed.

In some example embodiments of the present disclosure, processor 202 andmemory 204 may together be embodied as an imaging control apparatus andmay therefore be fixed or detachably coupled with the imaging apparatus200 or may be partially or completely outside the imaging apparatus 200.In some embodiments, the imaging control apparatus may be embodied as anintegrated circuit that is operatively coupled with the imagingapparatus 200.

Additionally or optionally, in some example embodiments, the imagingapparatus 200 may also include a feedback mechanism to convey completionof one or more successful events pertaining to image capture by theimaging apparatus 200. In this regard, the feedback mechanism in someexample embodiments may include an indication ring that illuminates uponcompletion of a successful event associated with image capture. Theindication ring may be positioned on a body of the imaging apparatus 200in a manner that the illumination of the indication ring is visible fromall possible perspective views of the imaging apparatus 200. Forexample, when the imaging apparatus 200 is embodied as a polygon, theindication ring may be wrapped along a perimeter of the imagingapparatus 200 in one or more dimensions. The indication ring may producevisible illumination of a variety of wavelengths, where each wavelengthmay be associated with one specific image capture event. For example, insome example embodiments, the indication ring may illuminate with a redcolored light to indicate unsuccessful alignment of the imagingapparatus 200 with a subject to be imaged. Additionally or optionally,the indication ring may illuminate with a green colored light toindicate successful alignment with the subject to be imaged. In someexample embodiments, the indication ring may produce illumination in apattern such as continuous or blinks or for a certain number of times toindicate successful image capture and/or decoding of the subject.Several other possible alterations and supplementations in this regardmay be possible with the indication ring within the scope of thisdisclosure. In some example embodiments, the indication ring may coexistwith the illumination source 106 as a piped illuminator or illuminationsource, details of which is described next with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example dual purpose illuminator, in accordancewith at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure.Specifically, a vertical cross-sectional view of a dual-purposeilluminator is shown in FIG. 3. The illuminator 300 comprises a tubularor piped structure having a transparent or translucent outer covering.In some example embodiments, the tubular or pipe structure may be hollowcylindrical or cuboidal in shape. A portion of the outer covering thatis towards an outer side of the imaging apparatus (vertically upwardside when viewed from the imaging apparatus's perspective) may beconsidered as the upper portion 308A of the outer covering. A portion ofthe outer covering that faces the field of view (vertically downwardside when viewed from the imaging apparatus's perspective) may beconsidered as the lower portion 308B of the outer covering. The upperportion 308A and lower portion 308B of the outer covering may have sameor different optical properties. Since it may be desired that the lowerportion 308B illuminate the near-field of view, especially a regionclose to the front face of the imaging apparatus 200, one or more lightelements 304 may be provided on a base substrate 306 such that the oneor more light elements 304 emit light towards the region close to thefront face of the imaging apparatus. Additionally, since the tubularilluminator 300 also functions as an indication ring to convey feedbackin response to successful completion of one or more image captureevents, one or more light elements 302 may be provided on the basesubstrate 306 such that the one or more light elements 302 emit light ina direction other than that of the emitted light from the one or morelight elements 304. Thus, when mounted on the imaging apparatus 200, thepiped illuminator 300 may be enclosed in a purpose-built recess on theouter body towards the front face of the imaging apparatus 200. In suchconfigurations, light emitted from the one or more light elements 304passes through the lower portion 308B of the outer covering and isdispersed in the near field of view region of the imaging apparatus 200.Additionally, in such configurations, the light emitted from the one ormore light elements 302 passes through the upper portion 308A of theouter covering and is dispersed in the region around the imagingapparatus 200 to be visible from all sides of the imaging apparatus 200.

The one or more light elements 302 and 304 may be of the same type. Insome example embodiments, the one or more light elements 302 and 304 maybe of different type. For example, the light elements 304 which serve asa near field illumination source may produce brighter and monochromelight in comparison to the light elements 302 which serve as indicatorsand may thus produce multicolored or monochromatic light. Thus,illumination produced by each of the light elements 302 and 304 may havea same or different wavelength. Some non-limiting examples of the lightelements 302 and 304 may illustratively include light emitting diodes(LEDs), in an illustrative embodiment. LEDs with any of a wide varietyof wavelengths and filters or combination of wavelengths or filters maybe used in various embodiments. Other types of light sources may also beused in other embodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example indicia reading device, in accordancewith at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. In someexample embodiments, the imaging apparatus 200 may be embodied in partor full as an indicia reading device 400A. The indicia reading device400A is configured to perform scanning and reading of indicia such asbarcodes, QR codes etc. In some example embodiments, the indicia readingdevice 400A may be handheld, mountable or both. The indicia readingdevice 400A comprises a housing 402 enclosing various parts andcomponents of the indicia reading device 400A. The housing 402 alsoprovides a form factor to the indicia reading device 400A. The indiciareading device 400A includes a scanning window 404 on the front side ofthe indicia reading device 400A. The scanning window 404 may be similarto the scanning window 114 discussed previously with reference to FIG.1B. One or more image sensors 406 may reside within an optical regiondefined on the interior side of the scanning window 404. The imagesensors 406 may be similar to the image sensors 102 discussed withreference to FIG. 1B. The housing 402 may have a pivotable protrusion ona lower side of the indicia reading device 400A that forms a hinge withanother protrusion 408 of a base stand 410 of the indicia reading device400A. The hinge provides a mechanism for rotating the indicia readingdevice 400A in one or more dimensions. In some example embodiments, theindicia reading device 400A may be removably attached with the basestand 410 such that a user of the indicia reading device 400A may use itin a handsfree mode as well as a handheld mode. Towards the front faceof the indicia reading device 400A and across the outer sides of indiciareading device 400A, the piped illuminator 300 discussed with referenceto FIG. 3 may be provided on the housing 402. In order to allow lightfrom the lower portion 308B of the piped illuminator 300 to reach thenear field of view region of the indicia reading device 400A, a cut 412may exist at least along one or more regions of contact between thepiped illuminator 300 and the housing 402. Additionally, the pipedilluminator 300 may be provided in such a manner that the upper portion308A of the outer covering of the piped illuminator 300 is exposed atone or more areas to the surroundings of the indicia reading device400A. In this way, the piped illuminator 300 may perform a dual purposeof providing sole or additional illumination to the near field of viewof the indicia reading device 400A as well as providing an indicationring to output feedback pertaining to completion of one or moresuccessful image capture events. In some example embodiments, the pipedilluminator 300 may be provided in addition to a near field illuminationsource of the indicia reading device 400A. In such embodiments, thepiped illuminator may illuminate at least a portion of the near field ofview, especially the portion of the near field of view that lies closeto the scanning window 404.

In some example embodiments, the piped illuminator 300 may be repurposedto be mounted or provided on a front face of the indicia reading device400A instead of the outer sides of the indicia reading device 400. FIG.4B illustrates one such example embodiment of an indicia reading device400B. Indicia reading device 400B may have same structure andcomposition as indicia reading device 400A. The piped illuminator 300may be provided on the front face of the indicia reading device 400Bsuch that the piped illuminator 300 encloses a perimeter of the scanningwindow 404. In such example embodiments, the piped illuminator 300 andthe scanning window 404 may be coplanar or lie in different planes. Insuch configurations, the piped light source 300 may enclose theperimeter of the scanning window 404 in a plane that is inclined at anangle with the optical axis of the imaging apparatus 200. Thepositioning of the piped illuminator 300 may be determined such thatillumination from the piped illuminator does not directly reach theimage sensors 406. At the same time, the illumination from the pipedilluminator 300 may fill an entirety of the region of the near field ofview that lies within a threshold distance from the scanning window 404.

FIG. 5A illustrates a visualization of field of view and illumination innear field of an example indicia reading device, in accordance with atleast one example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5A isdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-4B. An example indicia readingdevice 500 comprises a housing 502 similar to the housing 402 of FIG. 4Aand 4B. Within the housing a recess may be built to include a scanningwindow 504 and accommodate an image sensor 506 having a field of view508. The scanning window 504 may be similar to the scanning window 404discussed with reference to FIG. 4A and 4B. The piped illuminator 300may be provided across a perimeter of the scanning window 404 such thatthe piped illuminator remains covered on two longitudinal sides andremains exposed on two lateral sides. That is, the piped illuminator 300remains exposed on the top and bottom sides while being covered and heldon the left and right sides. In such a configuration, the pipedilluminator is configured to emit light only in the upward and downwarddirections. Owing to the partitioning of the interior of the pipedilluminator 300 by the base substrate 306, light can be controlled to beemitted in a particular direction as per requirement. In some exampleembodiments, the piped illuminator 300 may be provided as a standaloneillumination source to provide illumination along a direction that issubstantially parallel to the front face of the scanner. In this regard,an inclination of the substrate 306 on which the one or more lightelements 302, 304 may be mounted, is set in accordance with the desiredillumination direction. Additionally or alternately, the one or morelight elements 302, 304 may be mounted inclined on the substrate 306 toachieve illumination in a direction substantially parallel to the frontface of the device.

The scanning window sits inside a recessed portion on the front face ofthe indicia reading device 500. That is, the front face of the indiciareading device 500 has a depression in the region that houses theoptical assembly comprising the scanning window 504 and the image sensor506. Since the piped illuminator 300 is positioned above the depressionhousing the optical assembly, direct light from the lower portion 308Bof the piped illuminator 300 is prevented from entering the regionbehind the scanning window 504 as is indicated by the peripheral lightray AC in FIG. 5A. Also, since the piped illuminator 300 is exposed tothe field of view 508, the lower portion 308B of the piped light source300 is capable of illuminating a region of the field of view 508. Thus,the illumination cone ABC of the piped illuminator 300 intersects atleast a portion of the field of view 508 that lies within a closedistance from the scanning window 504. Accordingly, the pipedilluminator 300 can provide illumination to regions in the near field ofview of the indicia reading device 500 that would otherwise have beenun-illuminated from a conventional illuminator. FIG. 5B comparativelyillustrates illumination of a conventional illuminator and illuminationof the piped illuminator 300 of the indicia reading device 500A.Illumination cone A′B′C′ corresponds to the portion of the field of viewilluminated by a conventional illuminator while illumination cone ABCcorresponds to the portion of the field of view illuminated by the pipedilluminator 300. As is illustrated, the illumination cone A′B′C′ doesnot overlap with a portion of the field of view lying close to thescanning face of the indicia reading device 500. The illumination coneABC produced by the illuminator 300 however clearly illuminated theportion lying close to the scanning face of the indicia reading device500. This results in effectively capturing the indicia on the indicialabel 510 by the image sensor 506 even in scenarios where the indicialabel 510 is placed or passes close to the scanning face of the indiciareading device 500. Consequently, there remains no requirement toperform recapture of the images of the indicia label to perform asuccessful decoding.

In this way, an indicia label 510 that may lie very close to thescanning window 504 can also be illuminated to a substantial extent toallow effective image capture which results in quick and effectivedecoding of an information indicia.

The upper portion of the piped light source 300 may emit light toindicate successful completion of one or more image capture events. Forexample, while decoding the indicia on the indicia label 510, theindicia reading device 500 is required to be substantially align withthe indicia label 510 so that it is within focus. The image sensor 506may dynamically capture an image of the scene to identify whether theindicia label is aligned with for example an aimer projection. If yes, acontroller of the indicia reading device 500 may control the pipedilluminator to emit an indication illumination by lighting up the lightelements corresponding to the upper portion 308A of the indicia readingdevice 500. Other forms of feedbacks as discussed with reference to FIG.1B may also be incorporated. Thus, the example indicia reading device500 illustrated in FIG. 5 provides a dual-purpose illuminator 300 thatbrings significant advantages in terms of image capture and indiciareading.

It may be contemplated that the piped illuminator may be used as thesole illumination source for the image sensor or as an additionalilluminator specifically targeted at illuminating the region close tothe scanning window in an imaging apparatus such as the indicia readingdevice 500. In this regard, the imaging apparatus may have multipleother variations to support different imaging capabilities.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart depicting example operations of imagingprocess 600, in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Process 600 may be implemented by the imaging system 10 orimaging apparatus 200 described with reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 2. Itshould be understood that one or more steps of the process 600 may beexecuted in sequence or simultaneously unless specified otherwise. Theprocess 600 includes at 602, controlling a piped light source of theimaging apparatus to produce a first illumination along a firstdirection extending towards a scene. The piped light source may besimilar to the piped illuminator 300 which produces illumination in thenear field of view region of the imaging apparatus. In some exampleembodiments, the piped light source may be the sole illuminator, or anadditional illuminator specifically used for near field imaging. Assuch, the piped light source may be illuminated solely, jointly or insequence with the primary illumination source. In some exampleembodiments, the primary illumination source may be a conventionalilluminator described with reference to FIG. 5B. In some exampleembodiments, step 602 may be executed anytime during an image captureprocess to provide illumination required for a successful image capture.In some example embodiments, the illumination of the piped light sourceat step 602 may also be accompanied by illumination of anotherilluminator, for example, a conventional illuminator. A suitablecontrolling element such as the controller 20 may execute step 602 incollaboration with the piped light source. In some example embodiments,step 602 may be triggered in response to receipt of a trigger signal bythe controller 20. For example, the controller 20 may receive a triggersignal from an activation component that indicates initiation of imagecapture by the imaging apparatus. In response, the controller executesstep 602 to illuminate the scene with an illumination from the pipedlight source. In some example embodiments, step 602 may be executed bydefault when the imaging device is turned on without the need for atrigger signal.

The process 600 further includes at 604, obtaining from an image sensorof the imaging apparatus, a first image of the scene. The illuminatedscene is next captured by the image sensor and a first image of thescene is obtained. The process 600 further includes at 606, detecting asubject in the first image. In this regard, a controller of the imagingapparatus such as controller 20 may perform image processing on thecaptured first image of the scene to identify a subject in the firstimage. Suitable image processing techniques such as pattern matching maybe utilized towards this end.

The process 600 further includes at 608, determining that the subject inthe first image is aligned with a pattern. The imaging apparatus mayproduce a pattern projection onto the scene prior to capturing the firstimage. The projected pattern may be captured as a part of the scene inthe first image and the controller 20 after detecting a subject in thefirst image may determine whether the subject is aligned with theprojected pattern or not. In example embodiments where the imagingapparatus is used in or as an indicia reading device, the subject may bean information indicia. As such, it is important that the subject andthe device are aligned properly before decoding is performed. If the twoare aligned properly, a feedback in this regard may be provided byactivating the piped light source to produce a second illumination. Theprocess 600 at 610 includes in response to determining that the subjectis aligned with the pattern, controlling the piped light source toproduce a second illumination along a second direction different fromthe first direction. If the subject and the pattern are not aligned, anegative feedback may be provided by producing an illumination of adifferent type that the first and second illumination. Such a negativefeedback may as well be provided by the piped light source.

In some example embodiments, the method 600 may encompass additionalsteps that are not illustrated in FIG. 6. For example, as a part of anadaptive process the method 600 may include controlling brightness ofthe scene to be imaged as per the requirement, Towards this end, thecontroller may control the piped light source to produce the firstillumination at a first brightness level and capture using the imagesensor a second image of the scene. Next the controller may performimage analysis to determine if the second image satisfies one or moreimaging conditions. For example, it may be determined if the firstbrightness is too high or too low for successful image capture. Thecontroller may perform a pixel to pixel analysis on the second image todetermine the brightness level of the pixels of the image.

If the controller determines that the second image failed to satisfy oneor more imaging conditions, the controller may control the piped lightsource to produce the first illumination at a second brightness level.The second brightness level may be higher or lower than the firstbrightness level depending on the outcome of the pixel analysis. Theabove-mentioned adaptive process may be repeated for a set number oftimes until the second image satisfies all or most of the one or moreimaging conditions. In this regard, it may be predefined whichconditions may be essential and which of them may be non-essentialdepending on needs of the decoding process. If the adaptive process isrepeated for a predefined number of times and the second image stilldoes not satisfy the one or more conditions, the controller maydetermine if the last captured second image satisfies at least oneessential imaging condition for the decoding process to be successful.If yes, then the controller proceeds ahead with that version of thesecond image. If not, the controller terminates the process.

Having set the optimum brightness, the controller may next obtain athird image of the scene illuminated with the first illumination at thesecond brightness level. In case the optimum brightness cannot be set,the controller either terminates the process or proceeds with the lastversion of the second image in a manner as discussed above. When thethird image is made available to the controller, the controller nextprocesses the third image to attempt decoding an indicia in the thirdimage. If the indicia is decodable, the controller decodes it and asecond illumination is produced by the piped light source in response tothe successful decoding. However, if the indicia is not decodable, anegative feedback may be provided through the piped light source.

In this way, example embodiments described herein provide methods andmachines for providing a dual illumination in a piped light source. Thepiped light source serves a dual purpose of providing illumination inthe near field of view and well as serving as an indicator for relayingfeedbacks pertaining to image capture events. An imaging device havingsuch a piped illuminator will eventually capture images in a wide rangeof distances from the imaging apparatus. Thus, the imaging apparatuswill find application in areas where a close scan is required such as inretail stores and checkout counters. Other advantages such as reducednumber of recapture attempts fasten up the overall image capture andindicia decoding process. Thus, example embodiments of the presentinvention reflect significant advantages in an imaging apparatus andmethod.

It will be understood that each block of the flowchart and combinationof blocks in the flowchart illustrated above in FIG. 6 may beimplemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor,circuitry, and/or other communication devices associated with executionof software including one or more computer program instructions. Forexample, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodiedby computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer programinstructions which embody the procedures described above may be storedby a memory device of an apparatus employing an embodiment of thepresent invention and executed by a processor of the imagingapparatus/system. As will be appreciated, any such computer programinstructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmableapparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that theresulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements thefunctions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer programinstructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that maydirect a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in aparticular manner, such that the instructions stored in thecomputer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture, theexecution of which implements the function specified in the flowchartblocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operationsto be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus toproduce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions whichexecute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provideoperations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchartblocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means forperforming the specified functions and combinations of operations forperforming the specified functions for performing the specifiedfunctions/operations. It will also be understood that one or more blocksof the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can beimplemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems whichperform the specified functions, or combinations of special purposehardware and computer instructions.

Although an example processing system has been described above,implementations of the subject matter and the functional operationsdescribed herein can be implemented in other types of digital electroniccircuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including thestructures disclosed in this specification and their structuralequivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them.

Embodiments of the subject matter and the operations described hereincan be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computersoftware, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed inthis specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinationsof one or more of them. Embodiments of the subject matter describedherein can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one ormore modules of computer program instructions, encoded on computerstorage medium for execution by, or to control the operation of,information/data processing apparatus. Alternatively, or in addition,the program instructions can be encoded on an artificially generatedpropagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, orelectromagnetic signal, which is generated to encode information/datafor transmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by aninformation/data processing apparatus. A computer storage medium can be,or be included in, a computer-readable storage device, acomputer-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memoryarray or device, or a combination of one or more of them. Moreover,while a computer storage medium is not a propagated signal, a computerstorage medium can be a source or destination of computer programinstructions encoded in an artificially generated propagated signal. Thecomputer storage medium can also be, or be included in, one or moreseparate physical components or media (e.g., multiple CDs, disks, orother storage devices).

The operations described herein can be implemented as operationsperformed by an information/data processing apparatus oninformation/data stored on one or more computer-readable storage devicesor received from other sources.

The term “data processing apparatus” encompasses all kinds of apparatus,devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example aprogrammable processor, a computer, a system on a chip, or multipleones, or combinations, of the foregoing. The apparatus can includespecial purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gatearray) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Theapparatus can also include, in addition to hardware, code that createsan execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g.,code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a repositorymanagement system, an operating system, a cross-platform runtimeenvironment, a virtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them.The apparatus and execution environment can realize various computingmodel infrastructures, such as web services, distributed computing andgrid computing infrastructures.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative orprocedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as astand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, orother unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computerprogram may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. Aprogram can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programsor information/data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markuplanguage document), in a single file dedicated to the program inquestion, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store oneor more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code).

The processes and logic flows described herein can be performed by oneor more programmable processors executing one or more computer programsto perform actions by operating on input information/data and generatingoutput. Processors suitable for the execution of a computer programinclude, by way of example, both general and special purposemicroprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digitalcomputer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions andinformation/data from a read-only memory or a random-access memory orboth. The essential elements of a computer are a processor forperforming actions in accordance with instructions and one or morememory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computerwill also include, or be operatively coupled to receive information/datafrom or transfer information/data to, or both, one or more mass storagedevices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, oroptical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices. Devicessuitable for storing computer program instructions and information/datainclude all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal harddisks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, orincorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, embodiments of the subjectmatter described herein can be implemented on a computer having adisplay device, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystaldisplay) monitor, for displaying information/data to the user and akeyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by whichthe user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices canbe used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example,feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g.,visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input fromthe user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, ortactile input. In addition, a computer can interact with a user bysending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is usedby the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on auser's client device in response to requests received from the webbrowser.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of anydisclosures or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions offeatures specific to particular embodiments of particular disclosures.Certain features that are described herein in the context of separateembodiments can also be implemented in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multipleembodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processingmay be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various systemcomponents in the embodiments described above should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should beunderstood that the described program components and systems cangenerally be integrated together in a single software product orpackaged into multiple software products.

Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described.Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In somecases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a differentorder and still achieve desirable results. In addition, the processesdepicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require theparticular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirableresults. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallelprocessing may be advantageous.

1. An imaging apparatus, comprising: an image sensor configured tocapture a first image of a scene; an optical window positioned in frontof the image sensor, wherein the optical window is configured totransmit incident light to the image sensor; a light source, positionedon a base substrate, enclosing a perimeter of the optical window suchthat an illumination cone of the light source overlaps a portion of anear field of view cone of the imaging apparatus, wherein the portion ofthe near field of view cone extends from a surface of the optical windowto a threshold distance from the optical window, wherein the lightsource is configured to produce a first illumination along a firstdirection extending towards the scene; and a second light source,positioned on the base substrate, illuminating in a second directiondifferent from the first direction.
 2. The imaging apparatus of claim 1,further comprising one or more processors configured to: process thefirst image of the scene to detect a subject in the first image;determine that the subject in the first image is aligned with a pattern;and control the piped light source to produce a second illuminationalong a second direction in response to determining that the subject isaligned with the pattern.
 3. The imaging apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe light source encloses the perimeter of the optical window in a planeinclined at an angle with an optical axis of the imaging apparatus. 4.The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first illuminationilluminates the entirety of the portion of the near field of view coneof the imaging apparatus.
 5. The imaging apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe second direction is orthogonal to the first direction.
 6. Theimaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second illumination is of adifferent wavelength than the first illumination.
 7. The imagingapparatus of claim 2, wherein a brightness of the second illumination islower than a brightness of the first illumination.
 8. The imagingapparatus of claim 2, wherein the subject comprises a decodable indiciaand the pattern comprises an aimer projection.
 9. The imaging apparatusof claim 1, wherein the light source and the optical window are on afront face of the imaging apparatus, wherein light incident from a sceneto be imaged enters the imaging apparatus through the front face. 10.The imaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or moreprocessors configured to: control the light source to produce the firstillumination at a first brightness level; obtain a second image of thescene from the image sensor; process the second image to determine ifthe second image satisfies one or more imaging conditions; and controlthe light source to produce the first illumination at a secondbrightness level, based on the second image failing to satisfy the oneor more imaging conditions.
 11. The imaging apparatus of claim 10,wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: obtainfrom the image sensor, a third image of the scene illuminated with thefirst illumination at the second brightness level; process the thirdimage to decode a decodable indicia in the third image; and control thelight source to produce a second illumination along a second direction,based on the decoded decodable indicia.
 12. The imaging apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the light source has a piped structure and comprisesone or more first light elements configured to produce the firstillumination and one or more second light elements configured to producethe second illumination.
 13. An imaging method for an imaging apparatus,comprising: controlling a light source of the imaging apparatus toproduce a first illumination along a first direction extending towards ascene, wherein the first illumination illuminates the scene such that anillumination cone of the piped light source overlaps a portion of a nearfield of view cone of the imaging apparatus, wherein the portion of thenear field of view cone extends from a surface of an optical window ofthe imaging apparatus to a threshold distance from the optical window;obtaining from an image sensor of the imaging apparatus, a first imageof the scene; detecting a subject in the first image; determining thatthe subject in the first image is aligned with a pattern; and inresponse to determining that the subject is aligned with the pattern,controlling the light source to produce a second illumination along asecond direction different from the first direction.
 14. The imagingmethod of claim 13, further comprising: controlling the light source toproduce the first illumination at a first brightness level; obtainingfrom the image sensor, a second image of the scene; processing thesecond image to determine if the second image satisfies one or moreimaging conditions; and controlling the light source to produce thefirst illumination at a second brightness level, based on the secondimage failing to satisfy the one or more imaging conditions.
 15. Theimaging method of claim 14, further comprising: obtaining from the imagesensor, a third image of the scene illuminated with the firstillumination at the second brightness level; processing the third imageto decode a decodable indicia in the third image; and controlling thelight source to produce the second illumination, based on the decodeddecodable indicia.
 16. An indicia reading device, comprising: an imagerconfigured to capture an image of a scan label; a scanning windowpositioned in front of the imager, wherein the scanning window isconfigured to transmit incident light to the imager; an illuminatorenclosing a perimeter of the scanning window such that an illuminationcone of the illuminator overlaps a portion of a near field of view coneof the indicia reading device, wherein the portion of the near field ofview cone extends from a surface of the scanning window to a thresholddistance from the scanning window; and a controller configured to:control the illuminator to produce a first illumination to illuminatethe scan label; obtain the image of the scan label from the imager;process the image to decode a decodable indicia in the image; andcontrol the illuminator to produce a second illumination, based on thedecoded decodable indicia.
 17. The indicia reading device of claim 16,wherein the illuminator has a ringed structure that encloses theperimeter of the scanning window in a plane inclined at an angle with anoptical axis of the indicia reading device.
 18. The indicia readingdevice of claim 16, wherein the first illumination illuminates theentirety of the portion of the near field of view cone of the indiciareading device.
 19. The indicia reading device of claim 16, wherein theilluminator is configured to: produce the first illumination along afirst direction extending towards the scan label; and produce the secondillumination along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.20. The indicia reading device of claim 16, wherein the secondillumination is of a different wavelength than the first illumination.